Miami Beach Bowl draft profiles

Bowl Season is in full swing and with each game, no matter the prestige; there will be NFL draft prospects to keep an eye on. In today’s Miami Beach Bowl (2:30 on ESPN), Central Michigan will take on Tulsa. Obviously this game does not have the flash of some, but there are still late round prospects playing to get excited about.

• Keevan Lucas, WR, Tulsa: Although Keevan Lucas does not have the size of a number one receiver, the 5-10, 185 pound speedster has dynamic ability to take the top off of a defense. Lucas is also a savvy route runner who can make plays between the 20s, although his ability to create a house call cannot be understated. His size does limit him, so it will be interesting to see him against a playmaking CMU secondary.
• James Flanders, RB, Tulsa: Similar to Lucas, James Flanders does not have the prototypical size for his position, standing at only 5-9 and 200 pounds. However, Flanders is a quick, hard fighting runner who does a great job eluding tackles and creating yardage. Flanders has a definite lack of defined third down ability (nine career catches) and he is not an overall great athlete. Despite his shortcomings, he is still a very solid back and continuing his good strong year will be vital in boosting his draft stock in a loaded class.
• Cooper Rush, QB, CMU: The senior class for quarterbacks this season is pretty atrocious, but Cooper Rush stands out as a really solid early day three type of quarterback prospect. He has good size, arm strength and limits mistakes. He is not a great athlete, but does a good job moving in the pocket. He is a very solid back up quarterback prospect and Doug Pederson has a history of bringing in young quarterbacks every year for back up roles. Plus he is a ginger, so it only makes sense.
• Amari Coleman, CB, CMU: Amari Coleman is one of the many defensive backs who will fly under the radar in such a good class, but the scrappy, 5-10 cornerback looks like a player on tape. He does not have great size, but he is a quick, intelligent cornerback, with good ball skills and a feisty physicality that helps him thrive. I doubt he has a chance at getting drafted before the third day, but he seems like a player who could make an impact as a slot cornerback in the NFL.